Lokpal Bill: Government draft agrees to all 3 conditions, Anna may end fast
NEW DELHI: Team Anna has received a communication from Parliament that states that all three conditions of Anna Hazare have been agreed upon, according to Times Now. Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee is likely to move an appeal at 4.30 pm in Parliament. Congress MP Sandeep Dikshit speaking in Lok Sabha supported fasting Anna Hazare's three key demands related to a powerful anti-corruption Lokpal bill. Dikshit said he was in "complete" unison with Hazare's team on its demand for having Lokayuktas in states, framing Citizen's Charters for all government departments and including the lower bureaucracy in the ambit of Lokpal. He suggested that the central government can send a model Lokpal bill to states so that they create their Lokpals. On framing Citizen's Charter, he said the government was trying to include this also in the anti-corruption mechanism. On bringing the lower bureaucracy under the ambit of the watchdog, Dikshit said this was important as this where the common man connects with the government. BJP said it found considerable merit in three contentious issues raised by Team Anna, including covering the entire bureaucracy and Citizens' Charter for public grievances under Lokpal and favoured Lokayuktas in the states. However, it said inclusion of Prime Minister under Lokpal should be with the exception of certain areas like national security. Responding to a specific enquiry by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee whether there can be a central law for Lokayuktas in the states, Jaitley, an eminent lawyer, said there can be enabling laws. While there is merit in this, Lokayuktas should not be appointed by the Centre. Spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Saturday urged Anna Hazare to positively end his hunger strike by 6 in the evening. Anna Hazare today trained his guns at MPs saying that around 150 of them were facing criminal charges and people should not elect "useless" lawmakers next time. In his second address to supporters within two hours, the 74-year-old Gandhian said people expected a lot from the MPs but they did not live up to the expectations and that he would tour the country to appeal to people not to vote for them again. Hazare, who did not address his supporters for nearly 38 hours since August 25 night, emerged on the dais at around 10 am and declared that he will continue his protest till his last breath for a strong anti-corruption law. Amid mounting worries over the 74-year-old Gandhian's health, Hazare said he could fast for another "three-four days" and "nothing will happen to him". http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/lokpal-bill-government-draft-agrees-to-all-3-conditions-anna-may-end-fast/articleshow/9756963.cms ~Avelino
